Known as the second-largest cruise operator in the world, the Royal Caribbean ships have gained recognition as some of the largest in the industry. The fleet's multi-deck atriums, floor-to-ceiling windows and glass elevators give the ships a sense of spaciousness and style. Royal Caribbean is one of the top cruises for families, offering a myriad of kid-friendly amenities. Extra space means extra activities and attractions for passengers. Royal packs them in, offering some of the most onboard activities in the cruise world.
Ship Specifics
Royal Caribbean began in the late 1960's, putting out three ships by 1972. In 1999, Royal debuted Voyager of the Seas -- a ship with never-before-seen ship amenities, like an ice rink and a rock-climbing wall. As the years went on, Royal continued to create larger and larger ships, introducing the Freedom class in 2006 and the Oasis class in 2009.
Today, each ship carries more passengers than Royal's entire 1970's fleet, at around 5,400 guest capacity. The cruise line currently has 22 ships in six different classes. Few supertankers in the cruise world are bigger than these ships. And a greater size signifies more space for family-friendly attractions, like water parks with onboard surfing.
Ports and Destinations
As its name suggests, Royal originally traveled only to the Caribbean. Families love the Caribbean itineraries and they are still very popular today. These voyages transport guests to outdoor playgrounds with swimming, snorkeling, waterfall hunting and horseback riding on the beach. Ports of call include the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, Cozumel, St. Lucia and many others.
Since the 1990s, however, Royal Caribbean has branched out to present voyages to Alaska, Europe, Asia, Australia, South America and more. Alaska's Inside Passage cruises are a hit with families, offering a chance to see wildlife, glaciers and rainforests. Dog sledding is a well-liked cruise excursion in Alaska. Royal also offers unique, exotic cruises to places that few other commercial cruise lines visit. Multi-destination trips are also available, spanning 14 to 18 days in length. On these trips, families can experience multiple countries before returning home.
Many embarkation ports are in the United States. Homeports include Boston, Baltimore, New Orleans, Fort Lauderdale, Oahu, Miami, Tampa, San Diego, Seattle. Canada's main homeport is Vancouver.
For more on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, visit our sister site Cruise Critic .
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